Your Communication Matters

04/04/2026

Just 3 years ago, Henry (not his real name) started using AAC. It was a GoTalk device and he mainly requested for his favorite item - a piece of cardboard which he would tap repeatedly to hear the sound it made. He showed no interest in tablets and did not know how to operate it.

Now, he
- uses his AAC app to request for his favorite items from his caregivers, calling his family members by name
- orders food at restaurants
- advocates for his needs (use of inhaler)
- reminds mom that it’s time for bed ‘mama+sleep’
- ⁠brings his AAC on the go, while out and about and in school

I’m thrilled to be witnessing such heartwarming moments 3 years on. Henry’s journey in communication amazes and encourages me 💪🏻. Presume competence always.
Teachers, therapists and caregivers, let’s press on.

Happy Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month ❤️

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🔄 Don’t forget to share this story to increase Autism and AAC awareness and acceptance.

13/03/2026

It was just another SLT session. I was working on communication goals via play and music as usual.

I was supposed to bring Brad* to the toilet at 4pm. So I initiated the process by going to the toilet folder on his AAC app and passing him the toilet button (which he could press to initiate ‘Pee p*e time’). He didn’t press any button and made no move to get up. Slightly anxious that he may wet himself if this took too long, I tried counting down.

Then I heard what sounded like ‘wait’. So I acknowledged it, waited a lil more and added the word ‘wait’ to the toilet folder.

To my surprise, Brad then pressed ‘wait’ repeatedly followed by ‘I can tell people it’s p*e p*e time’. Then he took the orange button and pressed ‘p*e p*e time’. He promptly got up to go to the toilet, sat on the toilet bowl and instantly p*ed. He also looked at me and said ‘p*e p*e’ while on the toilet bowl. Once done, he said what sounded like ‘all done’ or ‘I done’ ✴️

I’m so thrilled that he is getting the hang of this toileting routine and is able to negotiate for more time + communicate when he is ready to go!

✳️ Any time is communication time ✳️

Do you have a toileting & communication story to share? Drop it in the comments - would love to hear from you ❤️

* Name changed for privacy purposes

*echtherapy

04/03/2026

Tip of the day:

Did you know that with certain AAC apps you can share whatever is on the message bar to email, YouTube etc?

This is a game changer for individuals who can’t type reliably as it allows them to compose messages using symbols alone!

Find this tip useful?
Remember to like and share so it helps another teacher, SLT/SLP, parent or AAC user ✴️

27/02/2026

AAC in the Community

1️⃣ A has been bringing his AAC system to therapy, class and around his condo. I asked mom: ‘What changed?’

She said ever since he learnt to type and edit the system to add words he likes, his interest in the AAC has skyrocketed and he takes it with him most of the time.

We’ve just discussed getting him a waterproof and shockproof case with a strap so that he can communicate effectively on the go!

2️⃣ R’s mom shared that she had wished everyone she visited during Chinese New Year ‘Gong Xi Fa Chai’ 🧧.

Additionally, she had requested for photos from people she met so she could add it to her AAC app. Her confidence to initiate conversation with people she is not familiar with has increased greatly, and her parents are pleasantly surprised!

3️⃣ CW had relatives with him over the CNY holidays. When mom was not around, he used his AAC app to tell his uncle he wanted to watch a Tom and Jerry video.

✴️ AAC advocacy is so so so important. Professionals need to advocate for AAC, families need to advocate for AAC, people who use AAC need to advocate for themselves too ❤️

✴️ We need to support and teach our clients to personalize their own AAC. This includes adding photos of people, videos, and things that are meaningful to them. Being able to do so increases AAC buy-in from the client and encourages them to have their AAC system at all times!

*echlanguagetherapy *echtherapy

20/12/2025

We’re coming to the end of 2025, and just like that Deborah has reached her 10th year in the field of AAC. It’s been an eye-opening and heartwarming journey so far.

Here are 10 photos and 10 reflections for the 10th year, plus some Christmas music ✝️

We will be on break from 25th Dec 2025 to 1st Jan 2026.

Happy Holidays, Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! 🎄🎁🎉

31/10/2025

27/10/2025

AAC awareness month may be ending soon, but AAC continues to impact and improve lives. Let's read what other caregivers and AAC users have to say:

❤️AAC has been a great help for both my son and I as it has significantly reduced frustration for us. We’re using it as a temporary support while he continues to develop his sp*ech, and it’s been incredibly empowering for him being able to point to what he wants which gives him a sense of independence and confidence. -J (Parent)

❤️AAC is fun! -Rovy (AAC user)

❤️AAC can make what seemed impossible become possible!
It helps with communication with others. -Lisa (Caregiver)

❤️AAC bantu H berbicara dan tolong saya jaga dia.
(AAC helps H speak and helps me as I take care of him)
-Ida (Caregiver)

*echlanguagetherapy *echtherapy *echpathology *echlanguagepathology

10/10/2025

We’ve gathered more quotes about AAC from our families. These are precious reminders that AAC is not just something that is widely used in other developed nations, but has impacted lives locally in Malaysia 🇲🇾 too.

💬 Here are a few heartfelt reflections from families in our community:

"AAC isn’t just for non-speaking kids—even verbal kids benefit. It reduces pressure, supports emotional expression, and helps children communicate what they really mean."

"After 5 months of using the AAC, Afiq was able to get (find and say) a lot of words. It has a very positive effect in terms of his language and sp*ech development."

"AAC helps to lift a barrier in communication, encourage socialization and improve our quality of life."

"AAC is an excellent platform for Rovy to express herself. I strongly recommend AAC to all non-verbal children."

Every voice matters — and AAC helps make that possible. 🧡

*echlanguagetherapy *echtherapy *echpathology *echlanguagepathology

07/10/2025

In conjunction with Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month, we approached some of our clients and caregivers to find out what they think about AAC.

Let's read what they have to say!

✨AAC is a lifeline because sp*ech doesn't come easy for my child. AAC can be used to fill in the gaps in communication. - Dr Izam Suziani (Parent)

✨AAC makes me believe that my non-verbal son can achieve functional communication. -Wei Li (Parent)

✨AAC is good good good. - M (AAC user)

✨AAC is alternative communication (other than sp*ech). - Norhidayah (Parent)

What are your thoughts about AAC?

*echlanguagetherapy *echtherapy *echpathology *echlanguagepathology

26/09/2025

Today’s teletherapy session with 3-year-old N felt like an in-person session. Why? Because we both had the same tools and materials…🤩🥳😎

💖 TalkXpress Communication Book
🥔 Mr Potato Head Toy
📖 Brown Bear book

The communication book helps me understand what N is saying when his sp*ech is unclear, and helps him learn new vocabulary.

We worked on identifying body parts with Mr Potato Head and on animal names with the Brown Bear Book. Core words such as ‘stop, more, go, same’ were also used repeatedly. He was so engaged that before we knew it we were left with only 15 minutes for caregiver training!

My SLT toolkit includes the following…
1️⃣ AAC system
2️⃣ music, songs, musical instruments
3️⃣ sensory toys (e.g playdoh, fidgets)
4️⃣ toys based on the child’s interest (e.g. cooking, trains, Mr Potato Head)
5️⃣ books (Brown Bear, Peppa Pig, ‘That’s not my’ book series, touchy feely books and interactive books)

What’s your favourite tool in therapy?

*echtherapy *echlanguagetherapy

05/09/2025

Messages from a client’s mom that made our day! (Forwarded from the school)

Progress for every client looks different.
For some it looks like increased engagement,
for some it’s navigating their AAC system to find words of interest,
for some it’s learning to type on the keyboard
for others responding to what their communication partners say.

Sometimes this takes days, weeks, months or years. However, what keeps us going are small glimpses of success, small steps in the correct direction.

And when others catch the vision, when they sit down and have a conversation with our kids, when they express joy by what and how much our kids have to say, that’s priceless! ❤️🤩

Let’s keep dreaming BIG and celebrating small wins! *echtherapist

29/08/2025

ABCDE

A is to remind you to introduce the Alphabet 🔤
B is for demonstrating the use of Backspace (and other special keys) ⬅️
C reminds you that you can start with Copying (type out words on labels of food items, stationery packaging, YouTube Channels etc) 🏷️
D is for make it Delightful - use the keyboard while singing the phonics, ABC, EIEIO or BINGO song 🎶
E is for Encourage Exploration of the keyboard at all times (even if they type nonsense words!) 💪🏻

Any other tips for using the keyboard? Share them in the comments below!

*echandlanguagetherapy *echtherapy